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Bruce Jackson lives in Illinois, USA . He was 49 when he was diagnosed on June 3, 2007. His initial PSA was 3.6 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 8 and although he does not state his staging, it seems likely that it was T2b. His choice of treatment was Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy. Here is his story.

 THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO AN UPDATE REMINDER IN 2011 SO THERE IS NO UPDATE.

I am very grateful for the postings made by others. Their experiences have helped me know what to expect, choose a treatment, cope with the surgery, and deal with the emotional ups and downs following the surgery. Thank you all for this!

Now my story. In March, 2007, I went to my general practitioner because of rapid onset ED, which had begun about 9 months prior, and was getting worse. He thought my prostate might be involved and explained that the nerves that control erection run beside the prostate. His DRE showed a prostate asymmetry. In addition, he was concerned about my PSA level, and the fact that my father had prostate cancer (which was successfully treated with radiation.) He decided to put me on a 6 month watch and wait program.

Like most of us, other than the ED, I was in great health. It was hard to believe that I might have cancer.

I immediately began researching the subject both on the web and in books. I decided that in case I might have cancer, I would select a treatment and a urologist who was competent in that treatment, then go to him for a second opinion. After reviewing all the possible treatments, I chose robotic laparoscopy. For a urologist I chose Dr. Gordon Gluckman, and Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois, as the hospital I would go to if needed.

Dr. Gluckman did a DRE and immediately recommended a biopsy. Based on all of the posts I'd read, I expected the biopsy to be painful. But I had no pain during the procedure - just some discomfort later that day.

My biopsy results were 2 cores positive out of 12. Gleason scores were 6 and 8. Dr. Gluckman recommended a robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

I had the RP on July 31, 2007, and returned home after 24 hours in the hospital. Contrary to some others' experiences, I did need pain medication. I was off narcotics after about 3 days, and off acetominophen after 3 more.

Much of my discomfort after surgery was due to restarting of my digestive system, not the prostatectomy. It took about a week for my intestines to get back to normal. I also had pain from the catheter putting pressure on my anastomosis when sitting. This caused some bleeding as well, so until the catheter was out I mostly stood vertical or laid down.

Other people have listed things that helped them after surgery. These postings helped me a lot.

Things I found useful included:

1)Hanging the night bag on a hanger stuck between the mattress and box spring:

2)Using a 5 gallon plastic bucket to carry the night bag when taking a stroll around the backyard;

3)Using a spare neoprene strap from a leg bag to hold the catheter line in place upstream from the bag connection;

4)Using a "bed desk" to hold my computer and books away from my stomach when lying down. (These are available on the web. They might take a week or so for delivery).

I would have liked to have a recliner chair after surgery. I think that would have been very comfortable. But there was not one available to me at the time. If you don't have a recliner, or even if you do, you may want to get some more pillows so that you can recline in bed or in the chair as comfortably as possible.

It is now eleven days post-surgery. Dr. Gluckman removed the catheter on day 10. It is wonderful to have it gone!!! So far, my continence level is surprisingly good - I have only had a couple of drops come out when passing gas. Other than that, I am dry. I am seeing somewhat of a small diameter stream when I urinate, and I am hoping this improves as the internal swelling decreases.

I do have to urinate every 2-3 hours but from postings of others I have hope that these times will increase.

My next doctor's visit is in four weeks. Then I will get my one month PSA, and discuss restarting my sex life. I will send an update at that time.

 

UPDATED

December 2008

 

 

In response to a reminder in November, Bruce said:

I'm waiting for one more post surgery PSA test, which should be soon. Then I'll send more info.

Nothing more from him yet.

 

UPDATED

March 2010

 

 

Well, it's been quite a journey since my last post, which was just after surgery. I'm now 2 1/2 years past my radical prostatectomy, and in better health than I was before that surgery. I work out about 5 days per week, have lost weight, and feel very good.

Dr. Gluckman did a good job getting the cancer out. Because of my rapid onset ED I was worried that some may have metastasized, but my pathology report said that although the tumor was within 1mm of the capsule, it did not appear to escape. My recent PSA reading bears this out. Here's my history:

1 month post surgery - 0.02 ("PSA post-prostatectomy test")

6 months - 0.03 ("PSA post-prostatectomy test")

1 year - <.1 (Standard PSA test)

1 1/2 years - 0.02 ("PSA post-prostatectomy test")

Based on all this I'll probably get my PSA checked every year, always with the "post prostatectomy" test. I think it's more accurate than the standard.

My adventure has been in recovery of my erectile ability. I did not get it back naturally. Tried the drugs, and all they did was give me side effects. Then went to the VED, which worked OK, but needed tighter and tighter rings as time went on, eventually so tight, with double rings, that they'd be painful to put on and take off. When the VED started to become less effective, I tried injections. The only injection that worked for me was trimix, but the pain from the drug was so bad that I was not interested in sex. Just wanted the pain to go away. So shots were a no-go.

Since shots were not working, and I was developing Peyronie's disease (curvature and scarring), I went to an implant doc who evaluated me. He determined, through a Doppler ultrasound test, that I had venous leakage and, in his words, "the only chance you have to have an erection is to get an implant". So that's what I did.

I've now had the implant for 1 1/2 years. It is great. My wife and I are both very happy with it. She especially likes the spontaneity - no drugs, no shots, no messing with a pump. I like all these things, too. The urologist who did the implant was Dr. Laurence Levine at Rush University Hospital in Chicago. I can't say enough good things about him.

Oh, and when I got the implant, my doc found that my anastomosis was partially blocked, and he expanded it. So that took care of my urine flow problem. And, thanks to Dr. Gluckman, I'm continent 99.9% of the time. I only get a little leakage occasionally if I really strain with a very hard weight in the gym, and at the moment of orgasm. Other than that, I'm dry as a bone.

Up to now, it's been quite a journey. But I can truthfully say that I am happier and healthier now than I was before I was diagnosed.

Best wishes to all of you!!